Why isn't the public on board with impeachment?

[Takket]

I've read countless threads on here about the GOP abandoning their duties, and why isn't Pelosi impeaching, etc etc etc.............

but I think the question that has to be asked... is why doesn't the public want this? Or at least why don't they THINK they want it?

If support was 60-70% for impeachment Pelosi would have done it the moment the polls were released.

So with drumpf overwhelmingly unpopular, his criminal activity fairly well known and facing over a year of him still damaging the country before an election.......... why isn't the public on board?

Do they need to be SPOON FED a reason?

Do we need Democrats carrying pom-poms and cheerleading the effort?

Will they simply follow if we lead? (I.E. start the process and people will 'join" the cause) I have heard it argued that impeaching right now will led to drumpf being releected because of the backlash. Have also read that the public wasn't for impeaching Nixon until the process actually started. So... they can't both be true....... which is it?

[SlogginThroughIt]

1. my guess is impeachment tends to throw the country into uncertainty and that can lead to economic do

my guess is impeachment tends to throw the country into uncertainty and that can lead to economic do

[Miguelito Loveless]

2. The public opposed impeaching Nixon

Until the Impeachment hearings began. Then as the evidence piled up, the opinion swung in favor. Our Dem leaders refuse to begin the impeachment process which should have started 2 years ago.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

6. the impeachment process has begun -- see Judiciary Committee

[elleng]

9. Yes indeed, the process has begun;

accumulating info/evidence taking time, and lots of OBSTRUCTION happening, adding to COUNTS against trump.

HEARINGS are different, and would be when the public at large has opportunity to evaluate.

[StarfishSaver]

11. The public never saw the impeachment hearings

other than the first 20 minutes, they were all held in closed session.

It wasn't the impeachment hearings that turned the public mood.

[Miguelito Loveless]

16. There was a steady stream of damning evidence

coming out of the hearings leading up to the formal vote on articles of impeachment in the House Judiciary. 17 Republican voted with 21 Democrats to impeach. I want House Republican on record voting to overlook treason.

[Blue_true]

21. The public was still opposed after the hearings were in full swing.

I was a teenager then, I sort of remember. John Dean was seen as a malcontent by the public after he testified. What caused the hearings to explode was the revelation of the existence of Oval Office tapes, the acquisition of those tapes changed public perception and basically doomed Nixon.

Unless we have Butterfieldian tapes of Trump in the Oval Office, attempts to impeach him will only end up helping him, he is using refusal to disclose papers and conversations and tax returns, until that long jam is broken, impeachment becomes he said, she said.

BTW, the House had to go all the way to the Supreme Court to get the Nixon tapes. Also, democrats controlled the House and Senate then.

[Skidmore]

3. DU is not the public writ large.

Republicans are afraid of Trump or are fine with what he is doing.

[Blue_true]

22. Exactly. nt

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. we have no Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, or Charlayne Hunter-Gault

We have discussions for ratings, in between commercials. Most of the public either do not have the time, or won't make the effort to read anything like WaPo, Vox, Mother Jones, The Guardian, The Atlantic, etc.

[RKP5637]

14. Yep, agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[bitterross]

32. You hit the nail on the head.

We are at a very different time than Watergate. There was still the fairness doctrine back then. We had trusted reporters on only three major networks. The information flow was much more tightly controlled.

People have the internet and FOX to turn to the reinforce their wrong opinions. They don't have to choose one of the big three that are all reporting the same real news now.

[Rhiannon12866]

40. They get their "news" from FOX or Facebook propaganda outlets

And believe everything they hear or read.

[Duppers]

42. 👋👍👍☝

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. I think it's because the public generally thinks congress is lousy, too.

[Indykatie]

15. The Public is Still Split 50/50 on Impeachment - Breaking Along Partisan Lines

I don't like that Pelosi is constantly criticized for not impeaching without regard to the lack of votes even among Democrats. Folks should be angry at all the Dems who have not voiced their support for impeachment. Instead of calling Pelosi's office we should be calling their House member if they aren't a Yes vote.

[Hortensis]

7. The Republicans invest enormously in confusion and disaffection.

They've done so for many decades now.

Because people who don't know what to think tune out. People who are feeling disillusioned don't vote. People who are worried react by becoming more conservative.

And the Republicans can hide their crimes in a mixed forest. They've been getting away with what amounts to murder, even literally, this way all along.

That's why the fake equivalencies that come at us from every direction are such a powerful weapon.

Both parties are not corrupt. One always was far more and has now become intensely corrupt, and smirkingly so, in every possible way.

But the lie that both parties are appallingly similar is taken as a given even by many right here on DU, even when it's been constantly contradicted by what happens year after year. Btw, Sanders and HIS predecessors anyone? It's not just the Republicans and their backers pushing the notion that Democrats are really just as bad.

[Blue_true]

24. Your last paragraph. The Word!!!!!

We often see the "equivalence" between the parties argument right here on DU, by some of the same posters that are crying about Speaker Pelosi making sure that all 'T's" are crossed and "i's" are dotted before launching into impeachment.

[Hortensis]

38. Yes. There is a great deal of overlap. Understandable that manipulators

and those vulnerable to themes of stupid and corrupt Democrats, including our women in power of course.

[Totally Tunsie]

8. Impeaching Chump leaves the door open

for Pencie to pardon the moron. Chump needs to be available for any prosecution that might come his way. As much as I want him gone, I don't want him off scot free on the federal level.

[Peregrine Took]

10. Two things: did the rethugs poll before trying to impeach Clinton?

and I heard that the leaders (Dem) think - regarding the "uncertainty" factor of impeachment - the stock market might take a nose dive and then the big ugly coward could hide behind that.

He didn't wreck the market - the Democrats did with their mad quest for impeachment.

[lettucebe]

12. Most People Don't Understand Impeachment

They think it means immediately removing him from office and that is not how it works. First he'd need to be impeached in Congress, then in the Senate (won't happen). This is why when Clinton was impeached he did not leave office. So, they are thinking (wrongly) that impeachment means we will take away their "Precious."

The desire to hang onto what they think was a legitimate win is the problem. Otherwise, obviously this pResident is so out of his league, so completely inept, so corrupt, there is no question he should be impeached -- but they refuse to see it. Pretty frustrating.

So the founders never anticipated the whole gang to go corrupt at once? They should have thought that through, but since they did not it is time for another amendment to the constitution so we don't have to ever go through this again.

Oh, and "shall" is not ambiguous. It should never be "interpreted," as it means what it says: shall. So, anyone trying to avoid complying with a "shall" should immediately be held in contempt and jailed. When the laws are simply ignored we are headed to anarchy.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

13. Lack of knowledge of the truth.

Most of our public today is enamored by sensationalism from social media and corporate public media. In other words, they want to be entertained.

Real, truthful news would be boring - - all while Rome burns......

The international plutocrats, oligarchs, authoritarians, autocrats and dictators prefer a public whose heads constantly spin. That makes us very easy to control.

[marlakay]

17. Maybe a lot of people just assume

Trump doesn’t know what he is doing so they think he did the impeachable stuff by accident, like a clumsy guy.

I think of my older daughter busy manager, doesn’t watch the news, works with a lot of republicans and boyfriend while he doesn’t vote is on Trumps side. I try to talk to her and its oh mom he’s just silly talking doesn’t mean what he says. And if you say you want someone like that leading the country, she says they are all the same both sides.

I wish I could say its just her but going door to door in Nevada last election a bunch of people felt that way and its hard to wake them up to see the truth with all the lies so swiftly sent out daily.

[ecstatic]

18. Listen to how our leaders discuss the abuses

and crimes--all smiles and the substance is buried in endless legalese and disclaimers. Why would any casual observer take it seriously??

Contrast that with Elizabeth Warren, who is always clear and concise on this issue. She can explain the situation in 45 seconds and/or 1 tweet.

[customerserviceguy]

19. They seem to be aware

that there is an election next year, that promises more certainty of removal of Trump than an impeachment process that will be stopped dead in the Senate.

They're not really concerned that Trump has an asterisk next to his name in the history books, along with Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. They know that history will be his judge for many other reasons.

[Blue_true]

20. Anyone that witnessed the Watergate Hearings would likely be hesitant.

The process was enormously divisive. It only broke open after Alexander Butterfield testified on the existence of Oval Office tapes. Unless the NSA or CIA taped Trump, we need to be cautious about impeachment. It is likely unlikely that the NSA or CIA taped Trump because we have passed laws against that, after earlier abuses of that technique by intelligence agencies and the FBI.

[Stuart G]

25. It is a long train with lots of stops Most will get on board. Why? Trump is a crook, that's all.

[dawg day]

26. I saw a statistic about Nixon--

When the impeachment inquiries started, about 60% opposed impeachment.
Just before he resigned, only 24% opposed it.

Build it and we will come.

[EndGOPPropaganda]

27. FOX AND LIMBAUGH. Simple. Fox lies and 30% of America believes it.

Murdoch controls our country

[Joe941]

29. Lol. Posted the same thing seconds apart from you.

[EndGOPPropaganda]

35. +1

[Joe941]

28. FNC and rush Limbaugh keep them opposed.

[Fiendish Thingy]

30. Most folks don't understand how government works, or the risks when it's being dismantled

Heck most folks don't even know the Bill of Rights past the first and second amendments, and even then many still get that wrong.

That's how we got the Patriot Act, etc.

So, that means relentless, aggressive hearings to publicly educate the masses about Trump's wrongs, why they are impeachable offenses, and the need to move quickly rather than wait for obstructive efforts to go through the courts.

[Mike Nelson]

31. Not sure about...

... "right now" but at some point in the past, Crooked Donald would have been cleared and able to run for reelection as exonerated. Guessing Moscow Mitch wouldn't mind a President Pence, if it came to that... but I think the Republicans just like Trump; he says and does all the deplorable things they want to say and do... they love him.

[bitterross]

33. People have too many other distractions. They have too much Fake News available.

When Nixon was impeached there was the fairness doctrine still. There was no internet or FOX where people could go to get any of their opinions reinforced with more BS in an echo chamber 7x24.

People had 3 major networks and a few major newspapers. At that time, all of those were more reputable than they are now. Now, we have newspapers that have barely any circulation. The "news" from the "media" is mostly talking heads vying for ratings.

There is just too much distraction and disinformation out there. There is not the focus that there was in the time of Nixon.

[StarfishSaver]

34. This

[GulfCoast66]

36. Lots of reasons. First, 35% of voters actually like what he is doing!

They have been told for 30 year by fox and hate radio that their real enemy is the Democratic Party. Not Russia, Iran or China.

But mainly because most do not much follow the news like we do and besides, in their minds there is an election in about a year. Why bother?

[kentuck]

37. They have been brainwashed by both sides.

They are not really against it for the reasons people think.

[NCLefty]

39. Because Real Housewives/The Voice/Whatever-the-fuck season finale is on tonight.

To some degree, I think this comes down to the sad fact that "We've had it too good, for too long" in this country. People get complacent when things aren't-necessarily-great-but-are-also-not-horrifying. It's a failure of human psychology or something. We settle for shit, when we could have more by being Squeaky Wheels and by Actually Voting.

Significantly more eligible voters did not vote in 2016 than voted for either candidate. (92m vs. 62/65m)

This is disaster for "democracy."

[oldsoftie]

41. We have a winner!!!!! Took forever, but THIS is the real reason folks.

SO many people these days pay little attention to the news. The Kardashians have ruined this country. Its now all about looking cool, having a lot of stuff, hanging with the popular crowd, having a great Instagram account, etc.
Most people dont even know who their damn Senators are.

[NewJeffCT]

43. Because Right Wing media has become a HUGE Industry

Fox News
One America
Sinclair Broadcasting
Cumulus Media
Rush Limbaugh
Scores of other RW radio hosts
Breitbart, Infowars, RT, Daily Caller, NewsMax, The Blaze, etc and hundreds of other websites
hundreds of local and regional newspapers

They DRIVE the news cycle most of the time. The "mainstream" media generally reacts to them.

Back when Watergate happened, none of the above existed. Sure, there were a few talk radio hosts that were right wing (Paul Harvey), but it was not nearly as extensive as now or as pervasive.

For example, WTIC AM 1080 in Hartford, CT had a long-time Republican morning host named Bob Steele. However, the show was mostly centered around local news, weather, sports and traffic. He was on air for over 50 years until he retired. But, fast forward to 2008 - they had a fairly popular morning radio show with an outspoken libertarian conservative and a moderate Democratic woman (Ray and Diane), but it was still centered mostly on local news, weather, sports and traffic. After that, though, they had a local RW extremist in Jim Vicevich and then Rush Limbaugh from 12-3. However, from 3-6pm each night, they had a popular local left of center guy on the radio named Colin McEnroe - he was smart, entertaining and funny. He was the station's top rated host.

Then, right after the 2008 elections happened - Diane was fired from the Ray and Diane show, so the outspoken libertarian guy had no counterpoint, and Colin McEnroe was also fired. The two liberals on the station were gone, despite being on the two top rated shows on the station.

[wiggs]

44. Post #7 above, for sure. But the question is flawed. Impeachment is the start of a solution, and

the case hasn't even been stated yet. There are no charges, no statements of fact, no official findings from congress yet. Will there be one article of impeachment or ten? (or twenty, which I would hope for).

So how can the question even be asked as a meaningful poll question? Those who are following the misconduct and analysis may already know enough to call for impeachment...that's fine. But the general public does not. A more telling question might be...'do you favor additional investigation and inquiries by congress, fbi, and other law enforcment agencies so that congress and the public can understand the truth about administration corruption, money laundering, obstruction, election law violations and be part of the process of determining an appropriate course of action'?

I bet if, instead of going right to impeachment, you asked poll respondents if they'd like to know the truth about the allegations prior to taking action, they would overwhelmingly respond yes. Which is what congress is trying to do. I(t seems like congress is going too slowly for my tastes, but that's different)

[YOHABLO]

45. This isn't about the ''Public'' it's about people who participate in democracy.

We should be more concerned about those of us who vote for our elected officials when asking the question about impeachment. I think Democrats are behind impeachment. Those who sit out elections, who do not participate, have no skin in this game. I don't know what polls Nancy Pelosi finds relevant, but I would love to know where she goes to get her information. Quite frankly, I find the ''public'' pretty damn stupid in this country.